Residents Urged to Seek Alternative Care Options for Non-Urgent Medical Needs
Thunder Bay Emergency Department faces high patient volumes, leading to longer wait times. Residents urged to seek alternative care options for non-urgent medical needs
THUNDER BAY – HEALTHCARE – Thunder Bay’s Emergency Department (ED) is experiencing an influx of patients, leading to longer-than-usual wait times for those with less severe medical concerns.
Patients are seen based on the urgency of their condition, meaning that calling an ambulance does not guarantee faster treatment once at the hospital.
Residents are encouraged to explore alternative healthcare options before visiting the ED if their condition is non-life-threatening.
Alternative Care Resources Available
If you’re unsure whether your condition is an emergency, you can speak to a Registered Nurse 24/7 by calling Health Connect Ontario at 811 or visiting their website:
🔗 Health Connect Ontario
For non-urgent medical concerns, consider these community healthcare options:
➡️ North West Virtual Care Clinic – A Nurse Practitioner-led virtual clinic providing timely care for Ontario Health North West region residents.
🔗 North West Virtual Care
➡️ Health811 – A smart search tool to help find doctors, nurse practitioners, and specialists in your area.
🔗 Health811 Services
➡️ 211OntarioNorth.ca – An up-to-date directory of walk-in clinics and service hours for patients in need of non-urgent care.
🔗 211 Ontario North
Patience and Courtesy Encouraged
Hospital staff are working diligently to provide care to all patients based on medical priority. The community’s patience and courtesy towards healthcare workers are greatly appreciated during this demanding time.
